Episode 120 Firefly S01E08 Out of Gas

Writer Tim Minear masterfully weaves the present with two levels of the past as we learn the details behind the origin of each of the original crew members. We've witnessed the crew experience some hardships along the way, but nothing to this extent as Serenity goes dead in the water as the result of a mechanical breakdown that even Kaylee is unable to repair. Unsurprisingly, Captain Reynolds takes care of his crew first and prepares to die at the helm of his beloved ship.